[2][3][4][5][6][7] The rivalry dates back to 1923 when the two teams competed in the Southern California Junior College Conference.

In 1999 the Aztecs were one of eight teams that left the WAC to form the Mountain West Conference (MW), which put the rivalry on hold.

"The oil can likely came from a time when Aztec and Bulldog fans traveled to football games between the two schools via the old, twisting, precipitous Grapevine section of Highway 99 over Tejon Pass," said Jacquelyn K. Glasener, executive director of the Fresno State Alumni Association.

"Cars in those days carried extra oil and water to be sure they could make it through difficult trips," added Jim Herrick, executive director of the San Diego State Alumni Association.

The two alumni associations made the oil can into a trophy and the teams started competing for it during the 2011 season.